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Banana Barracks
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About
#1 of 1 hostel in Tully
Location
Rooms
Value
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
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Property amenities
Free High Speed Internet (WiFi)
Outdoor pool
Baggage storage
Laundry service
Room features
Air conditioning
Location
50 Butler St, Tully, Queensland 4854 Australia
17 Restaurants
within 1 kilometer
2 Attractions
within 1 kilometer
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Tripadvisor’s approach to reviews
Before posting, each Tripadvisor review goes through an automated tracking system, which collects information, answering the following questions: how, what, where and when. If the system detects something that potentially contradicts our community guidelines, the review is not published.
When the system detects a problem, a review may be automatically rejected, sent to the reviewer for validation, or manually reviewed by our team of content specialists, who work 24/7 to maintain the quality of the reviews on our site.
Our team checks each review posted on the site disputed by our community as not meeting our community guidelines.
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Detailed Reviews
I traveled to Tully to work on the banana plantations in order to qualify for my 2nd year Working Holiday Visa. A friend who was already there helped me get a room and I was put in a 8 dorm room, although they have a variety of different types of rooms, and despite having the option to change to a 4 person bungalow which are generally better regarded, and more expensive (only b $15), I remained the entire 3 months in that same room. I can safely said I had easily some of the best times in Australia at that hostel. It took me 4 days for Paula (who is sadly no longer there as there has been a change of owners recently, she can have a short temper but other than that she is a lovely woman and many times had chats with her) to find me a job. Without a job during the day it can be immensely boring as there is barely any one around and essentially nothing to really do around Tully. On the weekends everyone tends to let go in big fashion but without getting too crazy and trashing the place. Although the work is sometimes depressing, the people you meet at the hostel definitely are what make it worth it and bearable. I've met some of the best people I've ever met there and will definitely be catching up with them later on, be it Australia or else where in the world. It's a decent hostel and is cleaned every morning by cleaners so the place is well kept although during the weekends can get a bit dirty at night but it's all gone by morning. It's a workers hostel so during the week by 9-10pm everyone is usually in bed asleep or getting ready to sleep as workers wake up at 5-6am. There are a couple other places you can stay at in Tully but most people from the other places end up coming to this hostel and the bar right next to it, Rafters, to party or hang out. Had an amazing time there.
Note: Currently the situation with bananas at the farms is not ideal unfortunately, with bananas selling incredibly cheap and the farmers losing money hence finding a job could take longer and people being laid off had become common in the last couple months. I thankfully never had but I knew plenty of people who had been and had to wait for another job to come up. Paula thankfully was on it and found nearly everyone jobs although, I'm not sure how it is now with the new owners, she sometimes would not let people come to the hostel as there was no work available and would rather you try somewhere else than have you waste your money and do nothing until something came up. Not sure if the situation with prices of banana have improved since, I left two weeks ago as of the writing of this.
Note: Currently the situation with bananas at the farms is not ideal unfortunately, with bananas selling incredibly cheap and the farmers losing money hence finding a job could take longer and people being laid off had become common in the last couple months. I thankfully never had but I knew plenty of people who had been and had to wait for another job to come up. Paula thankfully was on it and found nearly everyone jobs although, I'm not sure how it is now with the new owners, she sometimes would not let people come to the hostel as there was no work available and would rather you try somewhere else than have you waste your money and do nothing until something came up. Not sure if the situation with prices of banana have improved since, I left two weeks ago as of the writing of this.
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Date of stay: March 2016Trip type: Travelled solo
Rooms
Cleanliness
Service
Room Tip: Bungalows have 24/7 AC while dorms don't, although they are $15 more expensive and 4 person...
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I stayed at Banana Barracks from October to December 2017 and it was one of the highlights from my time in Australia!
Paula was a dream and found me a job when I called to book my stay, I got there on a Friday and started work the following Monday!
I stayed in the dorms and then moved to the bungalows for the A/C! The work is hard but it’s worth it because of the people you meet.
The place was clean and well looked after, the staff were lovely (especially Paula) and the rent is good value.
It’s in the perfect location to explore the area and places like Mission Beach, Cairns, Alligators Nest and lots of waterfalls are really close by. Top Pub and Rafters also made for many a crazy Friday night especially after a week of hard work so you’re never short of something to do!
The fact your job is sorted out for you at a reliable farm is perfect and Paula is so easy to talk to and gave me lots of tips about farm life..she knows her stuff!
Like I said the work is tough especially in the heat but Tully is a very special place, the memories and friends I made and my banana family are incredible!
Paula was a dream and found me a job when I called to book my stay, I got there on a Friday and started work the following Monday!
I stayed in the dorms and then moved to the bungalows for the A/C! The work is hard but it’s worth it because of the people you meet.
The place was clean and well looked after, the staff were lovely (especially Paula) and the rent is good value.
It’s in the perfect location to explore the area and places like Mission Beach, Cairns, Alligators Nest and lots of waterfalls are really close by. Top Pub and Rafters also made for many a crazy Friday night especially after a week of hard work so you’re never short of something to do!
The fact your job is sorted out for you at a reliable farm is perfect and Paula is so easy to talk to and gave me lots of tips about farm life..she knows her stuff!
Like I said the work is tough especially in the heat but Tully is a very special place, the memories and friends I made and my banana family are incredible!
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Date of stay: October 2018Trip type: Travelled with friends
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I stayed at Banana Barracks between July17-November17 and had the most amazing time! I was recommended to stay here by a good few people and they couldn’t have sent me to a better place. I arrived on the Friday and had work by the Monday all thanks to Paula. I stayed in a girls dorm first and then moved across to the bungalows where it is a little quieter and we all had plenty of our own space. Don’t get me wrong, the work is hard and some people don’t stick it out-but if you’re wanting to get your 88 days done and have a great time with a good bunch of people then banana barracks is the place to go. Couldn’t thank Paula enough for not only supporting us in finding work but also for being there for us throughout our time in Tully. I have since recommended banana barracks to over 10 people and they have all came back with exactly the same amazing experience as me!!
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Date of stay: November 2018Trip type: Travelled solo
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Banana barracks is a working hostel situated in Tully, Queensland Australia. After many calls and emails with no success, I decided to drive to Tully and meet Paula (receptionist) in person and see if there was a spot available. Inmediatelly she said that there was no space but after a 5 minute chat, suddenly there was (seems that when she likes you, there is space, otherwise not). I had to come down in a few days before 17:45 but received an angry phone-call from her around 12:00 that I had to be there before 10:00 and that she gave the bed and job away to someone else!!
Lost money on the booked greyhound, petrol and waited for nothing, all because of their fault! Banana barracks really treats you like trash which is disgracefull!! Try Innisfail instead, I am not calling names but there are two hostels that will find you work within 7 days atm, and treat you with respect.
Lost money on the booked greyhound, petrol and waited for nothing, all because of their fault! Banana barracks really treats you like trash which is disgracefull!! Try Innisfail instead, I am not calling names but there are two hostels that will find you work within 7 days atm, and treat you with respect.
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Date of stay: July 2015Trip type: Travelled solo
Value
Cleanliness
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I stayed at B.B. last year whilst completing my farm work. The staff here Work so hard to help people like me find work, stay in work and deliver at work. Paula the manager became my hostel mum very quickly and still to this day I class as a dear friend. The work is hard, but I absolutely loved it. Such a clean hostel, with a few different sleeping arrangements to cater for couples, singles and even groups. Tully was my first experience of working in Australia and made me fall in love with the country even more! Great work guys and girlies ! 💚
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Date of stay: May 2019Trip type: Travelled with friends
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I stayed here for four months and will always recommend it. Great staff who will give you tons of information and find you a job on the local farms, which provide transport and consistent work for hourly rates, counts towards visa.
The barracks is a great place to live, you’ll be looked after and meet the best people. The town is a stop for both greyhound and premier coaches and isn’t far from mission beach, Cairns and Townsville and is near to some great hiking and swimming spots. You get used to the tropical climate.
Come here and you’ll get your days done, get paid well for it and have a blast.
The barracks is a great place to live, you’ll be looked after and meet the best people. The town is a stop for both greyhound and premier coaches and isn’t far from mission beach, Cairns and Townsville and is near to some great hiking and swimming spots. You get used to the tropical climate.
Come here and you’ll get your days done, get paid well for it and have a blast.
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Date of stay: June 2018Trip type: Travelled with friends
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
My partner and I stayed here for 4 months whilst doing our farm work. We had a FAB time and were completely looked after by Paula, Glenn & Mary and their brilliant team.
We had work pretty much straight away and any problems we had were sorted with the click of our fingers.
The banana barracks was a home away from home and we thoroughly enjoyed our time here, a HUGE thank you for everything you have done for us!!
Since leaving, we have recommended this place 100% to anyone we have met seeking farm work and we will continue to do so!!!
We had work pretty much straight away and any problems we had were sorted with the click of our fingers.
The banana barracks was a home away from home and we thoroughly enjoyed our time here, a HUGE thank you for everything you have done for us!!
Since leaving, we have recommended this place 100% to anyone we have met seeking farm work and we will continue to do so!!!
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Date of stay: November 2018Trip type: Travelled on business
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
After 2 days work I was ready to quit and book a flight out, after a week I’d made the best group of mates and couldn’t think of anything worse than leaving! The hostel is clean, sociable yet respectful of the early starts! Paula runs a tight ship and is always realistic about the work lists whilst offering the best advice to get you through the days! I recommend Banana Barracks to everyone I know looking for farm work, would do it all over again!
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Date of stay: November 2018Trip type: Travelled with friends
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Made so many friends for life here. Great social hostel full of English and Irish who are up for a laugh. Paula is great at finding you farm work. Even has a swimming pool. And glen the security guard is a legend. I would deffo recommend to everyone
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Date of stay: October 2019Trip type: Travelled with friends
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Myself and my boyfriend arrived here in January 2018. We were met by Paula in the office who was so helpful and kind. She got us all sorted with a couples room and our jobs on the farms too. She was very approachable throughout our four months there. The hostel was clean and all the staff were friendly. We made friends for life here and it was such a great experience. I have sent some of my friends to Banana Barracks to complete their farm work, who equally loved it as much as we did. I would highly recommend Banana Barracks to everyone.
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Date of stay: November 2018Trip type: Travelled with friends
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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"Bungalows have 24/7 AC while dorms don't, although they are $15 more expensive and 4 person instead of 8 like the dorms."Read full review
LOCATION
AustraliaQueenslandTully
Prices are provided by our partners for one room, with variable occupancy rules as provided by the property, and reflect nightly room rates, including all taxes and fees known to our partners. Please see our partners for more details.
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Claim Your ListingBANANA BARRACKS | Hostel Reviews (Tully, Australia)
Frequently Asked Questions about Banana Barracks
Which popular attractions are close to Banana Barracks?
Nearby attractions include Golden Gumboot (0.2 km) and Fiveways Upholstery (0.2 km).
What are some of the property amenities at Banana Barracks?
Some of the more popular amenities offered include free wifi, laundry service, and an outdoor pool.
What are some restaurants close to Banana Barracks?
Conveniently located restaurants include Petals & Beanz, Ripe Harvest Cafe, and Flame Tree Coffee Lounge.
Are there opportunities to exercise at Banana Barracks?
Yes, guests have access to an outdoor pool during their stay.
Is Banana Barracks located near the city centre?
Yes, it is 0.2 km away from the centre of Tully.